Program Operations Manual System (POMS)

RM 10213.095 Procedure for Verifying a Person’s Status (Lawful Alien Status or U.S. Citizenship) with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Click here to view the “Immigration Verification Training VOD”.

Follow this procedure when:

our records do not reflect the applicant’s U.S. citizenship and the applicant submits either an N-550 or N-570 (Certificate of Naturalization) or N-560 or N-561 (Certificate of Citizenship); or

the applicant submits a DHS document for proof of lawful alien status.

This procedure assumes:

the document you are verifying is current (meaning the document either never expires, is not expired, or will not expire within the next 14 days). If the document will expire within the next 14 days, see RM 10213.300.

the document passed the visual review procedures in RM 10210.210 and RM 10210.560

NOTE: If you selected “RO/CPS Int” for the applicant’s U.S. citizenship or alien status document, separate instructions apply, see RM 10210.170.

Step

Action

1

Enter the application into the Social Security Number Application Process (SSNAP).

SSNAP electronically submits an Initial Verification (IV) request to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program and immediately retrieves the IV response within the SSN application path.

If you entered both an I-94# and a foreign passport number, SSNAP sends them both with the IV request.

If you entered both an A# and I-94#, SSNAP sends the A# with the IV request.

CAUTION: If you submit another IV request, the entire SAVE verification process starts over. Do not submit another IV request unless instructed to do so (e.g., after a 10 day waiting period as described in RM 10213.305).

See Also:

RM 10214.110, when to submit an IV request

RM 10213.090B, multiple IV requests

RM 10214.100, explanation of the SAVE process

SSNAP User Guide , SAVE Verification screen

3

SSNAP analyzes the IV response

SSNAP matches critical data from the application to data received with the IV response and determines if the status verifies. If the critical data:

Consider SSNAP’s analysis of the IV response and determine the next action:

If the status did not verify and you need to correct critical data, correct the critical data, go back to Step 2, and submit another IV request.

If the status did not verify and the applicant is a refugee, follow RM 10211.185D.

If the status did not verify and the applicant is an asylee, follow RM 10211.213.

If the status did not verify and the applicant submitted a Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship issued less than 10 days ago, follow RM 10213.305.

If the response is “Refer Student/Exchange Visitor to their School, Program Sponsor”, follow RM 10211.395.

For all other responses, determine the next action following RM 10214.110 and return to this step. If the next action is to:

submit an Additional Verification (AV) request, go to Step 5; or

continue the application based on the IV response as well as the other evidence submitted, STOP.

5

Submit an Additional Verification (AV) request

Submit the AV request in SSNAP per RM 10214.150.

If you entered both an A# and I-94#, SSNAP sent the A# with the IV request and will send the I-94# with the AV request. Sending the I-94# with the AV request ensures that SAVE checks all possible databases for the applicant’s current status.

SAVE YOUR ACTIONS: After submitting the verification request or retrieving the verification response, follow these steps:

click “Continue” until you reach the “Summary” screen;

select “Continue” on the “Summary” screen to open the “Verify and Sign” screen; and

click “Continue” on the Verify and Sign” screen to save the updated application.

If you click the Cancel button or SSNAP logo before completing these steps, you will lose all changes and any actions taken, including any updates to the SAVE Verification screen.

See Also:

RM 10214.150, when to submit an AV request

SSNAP User Guide , Saving Applications and Updates in SSNAP

6

Retrieve the AV response

The AV response is electronic but does not automatically propagate into SSNAP. Each FO must request the “SAVE- All Receipted Electronic Additional and Third Level Verification Responses” list within SSNAP. Once an AV response appears on the list, you must update the SSN application to pull in the SAVE AV response.

If you do not receive the AV response, follow RM 10214.150D.

Save any updates by following the Step 5, SAVE YOUR ACTIONS, instructions.

See Also:

SSNAP User Guide , Lists and SAVE Verification screens

7

SSNAP analyzes the AV response

When the pending application reflects the AV response, SSNAP determines if the status verifies:

The method used to submit the G-845 request determines how you will receive the G-845 response:

You submitted a Paper G-845 request - You will receive the response via mail. Upon receipt, enter the response on the G-845 Response screen in SSNAP;

NOTE: The SSNAP G-845 Response screen will only let you select responses that are appropriate for the applicant based on his or her evidence and status. In addition, SSNAP will always allow you to select a #4, #11, or #12 response. For G-845 response explanations see RM 10214.170D.3.

You submitted a Third Level Electronic G-845 - You will receive an electronic response. Each FO must request the “SAVE- All Receipted Electronic Additional and Third Level Verification Responses” list within SSNAP. Once a case appears on the list, you must update the SSN application to pull in the SAVE Third Level response.

If you do not receive the G-845 response, follow RM 10214.170E.

Save any updates by following the Step 5, SAVE YOUR ACTIONS, instructions.

See Also:

SSNAP User Guide , Lists and Save Verification screens

11

SSNAP analyzes the G-845 response

When the application reflects the G-845 response, SSNAP determines if the status verifies: